Fabio Saraiva turned down financially better offers at a higher level to remain at Woking.

The 24-year-old attacking midfielder is delighted to be staying with the club for a third season despite having a disjointed time in and out of the team last term, not helped by an ankle problem sustained on the opening day which resulted in two five-week spells on the sidelines.

The fact the club were relegated to National League South only heightened Saraiva’s disappointment but he was determined to stay with the Cards after being told by new boss Alan Dowson he wanted him to stay.

“I had a few other options. Some were better financially and higher up [the leagues]. But I thought Woking would be the best platform for me.

“I spoke to people about the new manager and they all said good things so I wanted to stay.”

Saraiva already has a good opinion of Dowson and said: “He’s a people person. I think he’s the type of person who will genuinely help you to improve and care about you. I’ve had some good chats with him and I think he will be good for the club.

“He’s an honest bloke who will say it how it is.”

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Saraiva touched on last season and added: “It was frustrating for the club and for me personally. Missing games through injury was hard. Up until then I had never missed two games in a row. I don’t think I even missed a training session in my first season.

Fabio Saraiva (Image: Jake Darling)

“But I believe things happen for a reason and it was character building. Being positive about it helped massively. A few years ago I would have let it get to me.

“But now, although I don’t take it with a pinch of salt, I realise that every minute on a football pitch doing what you love is something to be grateful for.”

Damon Lathrope’s horrific injury in February – a broken leg which forced him to retire – is evidence of just how things can go wrong.

“That was a massive wake-up call,” admits Saraiva. “That could happen at any time to any one of us. It makes you realise you have to make the most of it. Yes there’s the pressure of winning matches as true athletes, but also we should enjoy it. That’s why we started playing.”